Keep Austin Neighborly
About Keep Austin Neighborly
Keep Austin Neighborly is the behind-the-scenes help that lets local projects stay focused on people, not paperwork. It provides fiscal sponsorship, strategic support, and professional tools for Austin grassroots groups working with unhoused neighbors and people facing food insecurity or clothing needs. If you want to support the work that keeps community efforts moving, this is the kind of organization that clears the path.
What sets Keep Austin Neighborly apart is how practical it is. It removes administrative barriers, then backs that up with shared tools and hands-on support for projects like Austin Bicycle Meals, the ATX Free Fridge Project, Street Forum, and Heartening.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Fiscal sponsorship
Provides the nonprofit framework projects need to accept tax-deductible donations and apply for grants.
Strategic support
Offers one-on-one consulting, marketing support, and collaborative opportunities for grassroots projects.
Free professional tools
Provides access to tools such as Canva Pro and Google Workspace for Nonprofits.
Street Forum
Maintains and amplifies a community platform for sharing resources, coordinating mutual aid efforts, dialogue, and organizing among grassroots Austin groups.
Austin Bicycle Meals
Supports bicycle-based delivery of fresh meals, essential supplies, and connection to unhoused neighbors.
ATX Free Fridge Project
Supports a network of community fridges across Austin with funding for maintenance, supplies, and expansion.
Heartening
Sorts and donates unwanted clothing and accessories through a free clothing stand and a $3 clothing warehouse.
Our Shared Kitchen
Supports access to nutritious food for individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in Austin.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Strengthen the foundation that allows local groups to grow and flourish as they help unhoused neighbors and others who need assistance by providing fiscal sponsorship and strategic support.
Who they serve
Grassroots projects in Austin and unhoused neighbors, including people facing food insecurity and clothing needs.
Their impact
- ATX Free Fridge supported a network of seven community fridges across Austin.
- Street Forum gives unrestricted access to dozens of unhoused neighbors every Sunday.
- Momentum Biking’s donated cargo e-bike increased Austin Bicycle Meals’ meal capacity from 50 to 300.
How your donation helps
- General support for all partner projects
- ATX Free Fridge maintenance, supplies, and expansion
- Austin Bicycle Meals meals, supplies, and bike support
- Street Forum community space and mutual aid coordination
- Heartening clothing stand and warehouse operations
- Our Shared Kitchen nutritious food access
Our story
Keep Austin Neighborly started in 2020 after recognizing that Austin had an infrastructure problem, not a passion problem. Derek Burton founded it to reduce administrative barriers and build the nonprofit framework, tools, and support that help grassroots leaders stay focused on their mission.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Keep Austin Neighborly’s services.
Austin Bicycle Meals runs delivery rides on Saturday afternoons and every other Wednesday from South Congress, and neighbors may take as much or as little food and supplies as they need. Street Forum ATX hosts regular open-air forums and community meals, and ATX Free Fridge provides free access to food through community fridges.
In their words
Austin doesn't have a passion problem; it has an infrastructure problem.
We are building a radically transparent ecosystem for community action.
We handle the bureaucracy so they can handle the revolution.
Events
Saturday delivery ride
weeklyAustin Bicycle Meals delivery ride that begins and ends in South Congress and goes into Downtown Austin.
Wednesday delivery ride
every other WednesdayAustin Bicycle Meals delivery ride that begins and ends in South Congress and goes into East Austin.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Keep Austin Neighborly has shared.
Current needs
- Bike maintenance for loaner bikes
- Bottled water for weekly distributions
- Skilled volunteers for bookkeeping, design, web, and grant work
Volunteer opportunities
- Delivery Rider
- Support Crew
- Community Cook
- Bookkeeping and accounting volunteer
- Graphic design volunteer
- Photographer or videographer volunteer
- Webmaster or social media volunteer
- Grant writing or fundraising volunteer
Recognition & press
In the media
- KUT, coverage of Austin Bicycle Meals and Austin equity grants
- KVUE, coverage of Austin organizations helping address food insecurity and food deserts
- Modern Farmer, spotlight on the cyclists feeding their community
- Outside, feature on Austin Bicycle Meals and its bicycle-based food insecurity work
Press & mentions
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What support does Keep Austin Neighborly provide to grassroots projects?
It offers fiscal sponsorship, strategic support, and access to professional tools like Canva Pro and Google Workspace for Nonprofits.
How do people receive food and supplies through Austin Bicycle Meals?
Delivery rides run on Saturday and every other Wednesday from South Congress, and neighbors can take as much or as little food and supplies as they need.
What does the ATX Free Fridge Project do?
It supports a network of community fridges across Austin that offer free access to fresh food and non-perishables.
What volunteer roles are available with Austin Bicycle Meals?
Volunteer roles include Delivery Rider, Support Crew, and Community Cook.
Similar nonprofits
Other community coalitions nonprofits in TX.